China's growing affluence has led to the unprecedented popularity
of the Chinese language, nearly 25 million foreigners are currently
studying it aboard, eastday.com reported today.
The nations' successful bid for the 2008 Olympic
Games and entry to the World Trade Organization has beefed up
its profile worldwide. According to approximate statistics, more
than 2,100 universities from 85 countries have introduced courses
in Chinese.
China is to introduce exams in specialized Chinese for areas such
as business affairs, administration and tourism.
The Chinese government has invested substantially in popularizing
Chinese around the world, planning to compile Chinese teaching
material for foreign countries.
A
growing number of elementary and middle schools in foreign
countries are introducing Chinese to the curriculum and China plans
to build Chinese centers in several foreign countries.
Foreign students from 114 countries signed up to study Chinese via
Internet.
(eastday.com July 24,
2002)